Call to break mental health stigma

On World Mental Health Day, a psychiatrist underscored the critical need to make mental health care accessible during disasters and to eliminate stigma, pointing out that over 30 million Pakistanis need support.

Renowned psychiatrist Dr Dure Shahwar Hamza, while speaking to a local news channel emphasized the urgent need to break the taboo surrounding mental health particularly among the youth. She also pointed out that nearly 1 billion people worldwide suffer from mental health conditions, with both women and men equally affected.

However, she emphasized that men often hide their struggles due to social stigma, which can lead to worsening conditions and in some cases, push individuals toward suicide.

She highlighted that despite growing awareness, many young people still struggle in silence due to societal stigma, lack of access to care, and inadequate support systems, especially during times of crisis.

This year's theme, "Access to mental health services in catastrophes and emergencies," serves as a reminder that mental well-being must be prioritized alongside physical health during disasters, she added.

Dr Shahwar Hamza called for coordinated awareness campaigns, school-based mental health programs and community-level interventions to ensure that mental health support is both available and accessible to young people.